To mark the centennial of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, and help educators and students think critically about primary sources, Historica Canada has created the Think Like a Historian series of videos and worksheets. The following activities provide an introduction to the Battle of Vimy Ridge and working with primary sources.Think Like a Historian: The Battle of Vimy RidgeTo complete these worksheets, students may want to watch the videos more than once. Turning on the subtitles can help second...

The Vimy 100 History Lens Tool Kit is designed to help educators andstudents deepen their knowledge and think critically about the Battle ofVimy Ridge on the anniversary of its centennial. Students and teachers areasked to reflect on the importance of Vimy Ridge to Canada’s historicalnarrative, and what it means to Canada today. This learning tool includesactivities to prepare students for their trip to Vimy, to engage studentswhile in France, and to reflect on their visit to Vimy after...

Residential Schools in CanadaResidential schools were government-sponsored religious schools established to assimilate Indigenous children into Euro-Canadian society. Successive Canadian governments used legislation to strip Indigenous peoples of basic human and legal rights, dignity and integrity, and to gain control over the peoples, their lands and natural rights and resources. The Indian Act, first introduced in 1876, gave the Canadian government license to control almost every aspect of...

Treaties in CanadaBeginning in the early 1600s, the British Crown (later the Government of Canada) entered into a series of treaties with Indigenous nations in Canada. The treaties were intended as formal agreements to encourage peaceful relations and to specify promises, obligations and benefits for both parties. Indigenous peoples wanted to protect their traditional lands, resources, and ways of life, while ensuring peace and friendship, and eventually receiving support as they shifted to...

The purpose of this Guide is to enhance your students' knowledge and appreciation of the Black Canadian experience, drawing from Lawrence Hill's award-winning historical fiction, The Book of Negroes, the remarkable journey of Aminata Diallo and the historic British document known as the "Book of Negroes." Structured around themes of journey, slavery, human rights, passage to Canada and contemporary culture, this Guide asks students to examine issues of identity, equality, community, and...

Sir George-Étienne Cartier Heritage MinuteThis learning tool complements Historica Canada’s Sir George-Étienne Cartier Heritage Minute by exploring the role of Cartier in the negotiations surrounding Canada’s Confederation. The role that Sir George-Étienne Cartier played in uniting the provinces of Canada is so extensive that it was impossible to choose only one achievement to commemorate. Therefore, the Heritage Minute features a series of Cartier’s notable accomplishments.

SJA.jpg 70.83 KBThis learning tool complements Historica Canada’s Sir John A. Macdonald Heritage Minute by exploring the role of Sir John A. Macdonald in the negotiations leading up to Canada’s Confederation. The Charlottetown Conference in 1864 was attended by delegates from the Province of Canada, including Sir John A. Macdonald, who met with the leaders of the Maritime colonies. While at the Charlottetown Conference, leaders heard Macdonald speak about his vision of a future union. The...

This Guide is designed to enhance your students’ knowledge and appreciation of this seminal historic conflict through engaging discussion and interactive activities.Education Guide Cover - EN.jpg 276.62 KB

Understanding the War of 1812 and its place in Canada’s history is an important part of a history student’s education. Being able to recognize the different perspectives, experiences, and outcomes that resulted from the War of 1812 is also important. The skills taught in this learning tool are meant to be useful to students throughout their study of history.Inquiry Guide Cover - EN.jpg 314.83 KB

In this guide, borders are defined in geographic, political, national, linguistic and cultural terms. Sometimes they are clearly defined and other times they are abstract, though still significant to the populations affected by them. During the War of 1812, borders were often unclear as no proper survey had been done to define the boundaries. Border decisions were made by government leaders and frequently led to decades of disagreements. When borders changed, they often affected the people...

The 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 presents an opportunity for Canadians to turn their attention to this significant time in the country’s history. The War of 1812 had a major impact on the future of British North America and, in particular, on the continent’s Aboriginal peoples, many of whom played an important role in protecting the Canadas (Upper and Lower Canada; now Ontario, Québec and Labrador) from American invasion.Aboriginal Guide Cover - EN.jpg 267.45 KB